WiZiQ

WiZiQ (read Wiz IQ) is a FREE web-based platform for teachers and students.It contains a state-of-the-art virtual classroom, as well as the ability to create and share online educational content and tests, as well as make connections with others who have similar subject interests.Options within the virtual classroom include:

Ability to post images, PowerPoint presentations and documents

Audio and video sharing

Live chat

Control Privileges over the session

According to the WiZiQ website, “the Virtual Classroom allows the participants to communicate using video and audio with a headset or through text chat, and to share whiteboards, presentations, documents and images.”

WiZiQ has been compared to Elluminate, but prides itself in having additional features that make it a unique (and free) Web 2.0 tool.

All the synchronous sessions on WiZiQ are automatically recorded so users can revisit and also search for a certain topic at their convenience.

WiZiQ also lets the user create content online and then convert it to a sharable format.

On WiZiQ, users can enter a subject and locate other WiZiQ users who share similar interests.The site also allows individuals to contact other members to exchange knowledge, ideas and content. While I was exploring the site, I came across a user I knew and was able to send her an email, asking her thoughts about the WiZiQ platform.

What are the infrastructure and technical requirements for this tool?

Signing up for an account to WiZiQ is easy and, most importantly, free!Individuals are required to enter an email address, and a password, along with their name to activate an account.To get started, the user follows a set of simple directions:

Invite contacts to join WiZiQ or search for members who share your subjects on WiZiQ and invite them to the virtual classroom.

Schedule online sessions with your contacts or fellow members.

Meet in the virtual classroom to share and exchange knowledge live and online.

How can you use it effectively in instruction?

WiZiQ houses a large collection of presentations for the teacher to access.These presentations are categorized by instructional levels as well as content/topics.Teachers can also find professional development presentations as well.Within the members section of WiZiQ, teachers can connect with hundreds of other members and browse content or questions about a variety of topics to expand their knowledge and understanding, while gleaning ideas and strategies from other educators around the world.

What are other education applications for this tool?

Using the virtual classroom features found within WiZiQ, a teacher may be able to conduct synchronous meetings with other teachers, parents, or students.These chats could be saved on the WiZiQ site and accessed by individuals at other times that are convenient for their own viewing purposes.WiZiQ does provide a privacy feature that can limit the viewing of recorded chats to only individuals invited to the presentation.Teachers could do a “Back to School Night” recording, showcase student work, or provide parent training regarding such topics as science fair projects, special education procedures, or volunteer training sessions.

What are the limitations and cautions related to use of this tool?

In the near future, WiZiQ will be offering some advanced features for a monthly subscription fee, but the basic features on WiZiQ will continue be free.

Within the WiZiQ Terms of User Agreement, services are listed as not available to minors under the age of 14.If a teacher wanted to conduct an online synchronous chat with younger students, parent membership would be required, as well as adult supervision of the minor participating within the online experience or accessing recorded chats on the WiZiQ site.

What are the management considerations for this tool?

According to the WiZiQ website; “WiZiQ puts learners and teachers together regardless of the boundaries and enables live, online teaching for absolutely no cost to the teacher or the student.”

Scheduling online presentations for your students, colleagues, or students’ parents may require significant management and planning.It would also be important to address technology access for individuals attempting to access the information presented online.For individuals who lack technology at home or broadband internet connections, alternative access may need to be considered.

Teachers using the WiZiQ site for resources and collaboration with other members may want to explore several of the synchronous training presentations that have been recorded and stored on the site.These presentations will provide the viewer with additional information regarding the variety of features found within the WiZiQ platform and its virtual classroom.

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Wow – what a neat site! I love the idea of being able to use it for science fair information presentations to our parents! How wonderful it would be for us to record those presentations and for the parents to be able to revisit it as frequently as they want / need to.